Target block assembly for dartboard

ABSTRACT

A dartboard includes a support base and a dartboard supported on the support base. The dartboard includes an annular zero-score surface and a plurality of main retaining frames between which the target block assemblies are engaged. The target block assembly includes a top retaining frame having at least one hook and a base having at least one slot with which the at least one hook of the top retaining frame is engaged. The target block may also be movably received between a top retaining frame and a lower retaining frame. The target block has ridges extending therefrom which is movably engaged with recesses defined between the top retaining frame and the lower retaining frame.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a target block assembly for dartboard and includes a retaining frame for receiving a target block therein and a base which is engaged with the retaining frame by hooks so as to prevent the retaining frame from loosening and save time required of assembling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Applicant's former U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,607 discloses a dartboard that includes a retaining frame 18 and a pushing board 17 from which protrusions 15 extend so as to touch and activate electronic sensors. The connection between the retaining frame 18 and the pushing board 17 are made by bolts 171 and this takes a lot of time when assembling the dart board. Besides, the bolts 171 could be loosened after being used for a period of time by vibration. Furthermore, the dartboard includes ribs between which a plurality of partitions are defined so that the target blocks are engaged therewith. In order to secure the target blocks, the ribs are thick and wide and have flanges at periphery thereof so as to limit the position of the target blocks. The darts therefore could hit on the thick and wide ribs and damages are resulted on the darts and/or the ribs. In addition, when pulling the darts out from the target blocks, the target blocks are pulled outward and the surface of the dartboard becomes serrated. Some of the dartboards equipped with electronic display system to show the times of the throw and the scores that the players get. The two kinds of information are shown at different display devices and the players often are confused because too many lights or marks are illustrated in two different positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a target block assembly which includes a top retaining frame having at least one hook and a base having at least one slot with which the at least one hook of the top retaining frame is engaged. The target block may also be movably received between a top retaining frame and a lower retaining frame. The target block has ridges extending therefrom which is movably engaged with recesses defined between the top retaining frame and the lower retaining frame.

[0004] The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 is an exploded view to show the connection between the retaining frame and the pushing board of applicant's former U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,607;

[0006]FIG. 2 is a perspective view to show the dartboard of the present invention;

[0007]FIG. 3 is an exploded view to show a first embodiment of the retaining frame and the base of the target block assembly of the present invention;

[0008]FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the first embodiment of the retaining frame and the base of the target block assembly of the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 5 is an exploded view to show a second embodiment of the retaining frame and the base of the target block assembly of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of the second embodiment of the retaining frame and the base of the target block assembly of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 7 is an exploded view to show a third embodiment of the retaining frame and the base of the target block assembly of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 8 is an exploded view to show a fourth embodiment of the retaining frame and the base of the target block assembly of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 9 is an exploded view to show a fifth embodiment of the retaining frame and the base of the target block assembly of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 10 shows a first embodiment of the display device of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the display device of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 12 shows a sixth embodiment of the of the retaining frame and the base of the target block assembly of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 13 shows the sixth embodiment of the target block assembly of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 14 shows a seventh embodiment of the of the retaining frame and the base of the target block assembly of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 15 shows the seventh embodiment of the target block assembly of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 16 shows a cross sectional view of the target block assembly engaged with the ribs of the dartboard of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 17 is a plan view to show the surface plate of the target block assembly of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view to show the target block assembly of the present invention, and

[0023]FIG. 19 is an exploded view to show a spring is used between the surface plate and the base of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, the dartboard assembly of the present invention comprises a support base 30 and a dartboard 10 supported on the support base 30 on which buttons 32, display devices 31 and dart holes 33 are located. The dartboard 10 includes an annular zero-score surface 20 and a plurality of main retaining frames 70 between which the target block assemblies 60 are engaged.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a first embodiment of the target block assembly 60 includes a top retaining frame 63 and a base 65 which includes a plurality of slots 651 defined therethrough and protrusions 6011 extending from a back of the base 65 so as to touch electronic sensors 41 on the backing 16 of the dartboard. Two cruciform frames 6531 extend from a top of the base 65 and a reinforcement board 632 is connected to the top retaining frame 63 so that when the target block 613 is engaged with the top retaining frame 63 and secured in position by the cruciform frames 6531. The target block 613 is supported by the reinforcement board 632 so that when a dart 81 hits the target block 613, the target block 613 will not drop or become concaved. A plurality of hooks 631 extend from four sides of the top retaining frame 63 so as to be engaged with the slots 651. The engagement of the hooks 631 and the slots 651 saves the assembling time for the dartboard. The main retaining frame 70 includes a head 72 with a tip 71 and a shoulder portion 728 is defined which is engaged with a top edge 638 of the top retaining frame 63.

[0026]FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the target block assembly 60 which includes a top retaining frame 63 with a reinforcement board 632 and a base 65 which includes a plurality of slots 651 defined therethrough and protrusions 6012 extending along a periphery of the back of the base 65 so as to touch electronic sensors 41 on the backing 16 of the dartboard. Two cruciform frames 6531 extend from a top of the base 65 so that when the target block 613 is engaged with the top retaining frame 63 and secured in position by the cruciform frames 6531. The target block 613 is supported by the reinforcement board 632 so that when a dart 637 hits the target block 613, the target block 613 will not drop or become concaved. A plurality of hooks 631 extend from four sides of the top retaining frame 63 so as to be engaged with the slots 651. A plurality of engaging hooks 657 extend from the base 65 and are engaged with holes 637 of the top retaining frame 63 to secure the connection of the top retaining frame 63 and the base 65. The main retaining frame 70 includes an enlarged head and a shoulder portion 709 is defined which is engaged with a protrusion side 659 of the base 65 and/or a protrusion side 639 of the top retaining frame 63.

[0027]FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the target block assembly 60 which includes a top retaining frame 63 with a plurality of hooks 631 on four sides thereof has an open bottom. A plurality of slots 651 are defined through the base 65 so as to be engaged with the hooks 631 to connect the top retaining frame 63 and the base 65. A plurality of protrusions 6011 extend from the back of the base 65 so as to touch electronic sensors on the backing of the dartboard. A plurality of cruciform frames 6533 extend from a top of the base 65 so as to secure the target block 613 engaged with the top retaining frame 63. FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the target block assembly 60 wherein the top retaining frame 63 has a bottom on which a plurality of cruciform frames 6533 extend so as to secure the target block 613 in the top retaining frame 63. A plurality of hooks 631 extend from four sides of the top retaining frame 63 so as to be engaged with the slots 651 of the base 65. The base 65 has protrusions 6011 and 6012 on the back thereof so as to touch the electronic sensors.

[0028]FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the target block assembly 60 which includes a top retaining frame 63 with a reinforcement board 632 and a flange 636 extends from an inner periphery of the top retaining frame 63. Several fin-shaped plates 635 extending from a top surface of the flange 636 so as to secure the target block engaged with the top retaining frame 63. The base 65 includes a plurality of slots 651 defined therethrough so as to be engaged with hooks on the top retaining frame 63, and protrusions 6012 extend from the back of the base 65 so as to touch electronic sensors on the backing of the dartboard. A rectangular frame 6535 and a circular frame 6536 extend from a top surface of the base 65 so as to secure the target block.

[0029]FIG. 10 shows a first embodiment of the display device 31 of the present invention wherein the number of times that the dart is thrown is shown by the light 311. The sequence that the target block is hit is displayed by lighting up one of the lights 3111, 3112 and 3113. Three digits 313 are located on the display device 31 by seven-sector LEDs. FIG. 11 shows another arrangement of the lights 311, 3111, 3112 and 3113.

[0030]FIGS. 12 and 13 show a sixth embodiment of the target block assembly 60 which includes a top retaining frame 71 which has four legs extending from four comers thereof and a recess 713 is defined between any two adjacent legs. Each leg has a concavity 712 defined from an underside thereof. A target block 600 has a plurality of circular holes 611 defined in a top surface thereof and four ridges 603 extend from four sides of the target block 600. A plurality of protrusions 6012 extend from a rear side of the target block so as to touch the electronic sensors. A lower retaining frame 72 is engaged with the top retaining frame 71 with the target block located therebetween. The lower retaining frame 72 has pins 722 to be inserted in the concavities 712 or bolts 7011 are used to engage with the concavities 712. The ridges 603 are movably received in the spaced enclosed by the inner periphery of the each recess 713 and the top edge of the lower retaining frame 72.

[0031]FIGS. 14 and 15 show a seventh embodiment of the target block assembly 60 wherein the top retaining frame 71 which has four legs each have a concavity 712 defined from an underside thereof and two recesses 713 separated by a stud 715 are defined in two opposite sides of the top retaining frame 71. The other two opposite sides of the top retaining frame 71 has only one recess 717. A lower retaining frame 72 is engaged with the top retaining frame 71 and the target block 60 is located between the top retaining frame 71 and the lower retaining frame 72. The lower retaining frame 72 has pins 722 to be inserted in the concavities 712 or the top retaining frame 71 has pins 711 to be inserted in the concavity 721 defined in a top of the lower retaining frame 72. The lower retaining frame 72 has recesses 723 separated by the stud 725 and the two recesses 723 are located in correspondence with the recesses 713 in the top retaining frame 71. Two recesses 727 are defined in the other two opposite sides of the lower retaining frame 72 and located in correspondence with the recesses 717 in the top retaining frame 71. A target block 600 has a plurality of slots 612 defined in a top surface thereof and ridges 603 extend from four sides of the target block. A plurality of protrusions 6011 extend from a rear side of the target block so as to touch the electronic sensors. The ridges 603 can be made to be various shapes and are movably retained between the spaced between the recesses 713, 723, and 717, 727 as shown in FIG. 16.

[0032]FIG. 17 shows that the target block 600 can be made to have a plurality of circular holes for receiving the darts 81 (FIG. 18) and several retaining hoops 605 and semi-circular member 605 extend from periphery of the target block 600. The top retaining frame 71 and the lower retaining frame 72 have neck portions 719, 729 which movably extend through the retaining hoops 605 and semi-circular member as shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 19 shows that a spring 675 is biased between the neck portions 729 and the retaining hoops 605 so that the target blocks 600 spring back to their position by the springs 675.

[0033] While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A target block assembly for dartboard, comprising: a top retaining frame having at least one hook; and a base having at least one slot with which the at least one hook of the top retaining frame is engaged.
 2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base has at least one hook and the top retaining frame has at least one slot with which the at least one hook of the base is engaged.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one frame located on the base or the top retaining frame.
 4. A target block assembly for dartboard, comprising: a main retaining frame having recesses defined therein; and a target block enclosed by the main retaining frame and having ridges extending therefrom which are inserted in recesses of the main retaining frame.
 5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4 further comprising at least one protrusion side extending from the base or the top retaining frame, the at least one protrusion side being engaged with recesses defined in the main retaining frame.
 6. A target block assembly for dartboard, comprising: a main retaining frame having at least one recess defined therethrough, and a target block movably enclosed by the main retaining frame which has at least one ridge extending therefrom which is movably engaged with the at least one recess.
 7. A target block assembly for dartboard, comprising: a main retaining frame having at least one recess defined therethrough, and a target block movably enclosed by the main retaining frame which has at least one ridge extending therefrom which is movably engaged with the at least one recess.5, the main retaining frame including a top retaining frame and a lower retaining frame, each of the top retaining frame and the lower retaining frame having a recess, the at least one ridge being engaged with a space defined by the two recesses of the top retaining frame and the lower retaining frame.
 8. The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one ridge on the target block is retaining hoop or semi-circular member which holds neck portions of the main retaining frame.
 9. The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one ridge on the target block is retaining hoop or semi-circular member which holds neck portions of the top retaining frame and the lower retaining frame.
 10. The assembly as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a spring located between the neck portion of the main frame and the ridge of the target block such that the target block is in flush with a surface of the dartboard. 